Former senator and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Iyabo Obasanjo, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State of fearing a fair electoral contest following the omission of the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates.
Obasanjo made the allegation during an appearance on The Arena, a podcast based in Abeokuta, where she described Adebutu’s exclusion as a troubling development for Nigeria’s democracy.
The former Ogun Central senator questioned why Adebutu’s name was missing from the list despite her claim that he had fulfilled the same requirements as other PDP candidates whose names were published.
Iyabo Obasanjo Questions Adebutu’s Omission
Obasanjo said she initially dismissed reports of Adebutu’s omission because INEC had already released the lists of candidates for senatorial and House of Representatives elections.
However, she said further enquiries prompted her to question the circumstances surrounding the PDP governorship candidate’s absence from the list.
According to her, the information she gathered suggested that Adebutu had complied with the same requirements as other candidates whose names appeared on the commission’s list.
She questioned why the PDP candidate had been treated differently and alleged that political opponents could be behind the development.
Obasanjo argued that excluding a major opposition candidate without a clear explanation could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
APC Accused of Fearing a Competitive Election
The former senator alleged that the development reflected a reluctance by political opponents to face Adebutu in a competitive election.
She warned that any attempt to prevent eligible candidates from participating in an election would threaten democratic principles and deny voters the opportunity to make their own choices.
Obasanjo also expressed confidence that the situation could be resolved and that Adebutu’s name would eventually be restored to the list.
However, her claim that the APC was responsible for the omission remains an allegation and has not been independently established.
Ogun Governorship Race Ahead of 2027
The dispute comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
The APC has its own candidate, while the PDP is seeking to retain its place as a major challenger in the state’s political contest.
The controversy surrounding Adebutu’s omission has raised questions about candidate eligibility, the handling of nomination requirements and INEC’s responsibility to ensure that electoral procedures are applied fairly.
The commission’s position and any subsequent developments regarding the candidate list will be important in determining how the dispute unfolds.
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